Madonna has been trekking around the globe on her MDNA Tour since the end of May and sparking controversy left and right along the way. It was previously reported that U.S. officials in Russia had inside knowledge regarding threats of physical violence against performers and spectators at the Material Girl’s two concerts this week — one yesterday in Moscow and one tomorrow (August 9) in St. Petersburg.

For the most part, however, the Moscow gig went off without any drama — unless you count Madonna’s three-minute speech on stage about the three jailed members of feminist punk band Pussy Riot, who were nabbed by authorities in March after they staged an illegal performance at Moscow’s the Cathedral Of Christ The Savior as a protest against the reinstatement of President Vladimir Putin. Watch what Madge has to say above.

“Everywhere in the world, as human beings, we should have the right to express our opinions and still be treated as human beings,” Madonna said. The singer went on to note that she things Pussy Riot members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina, and Yekaterina Samutsevich — who have now spent five months in jail — have paid the price for their crime and deserve to be freed.

The three band members are facing up to seven years in prison for the crime of hooliganism. Their trial is now adjourned, and a verdict is due on August 17.